Leigh A. Quinnell, of Shakopee, passed away Monday, July 23, 2018 at the age of 48. The family will greet friends from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 S. Marschall Rd.) in Shakopee. A funeral service will be held Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 11:00 AM with visitation starting at 9:30 AM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation in Shakopee.
On August 9, 1969 in Minneapolis, MN, parents Dean and Marilyn (DeTuncq) Baurr celebrated the birth of their daughter, Leigh Ann Baurr. She was one of four children to be raised in Mounds View. Following her graduation from Irondale High School, Leigh attended the University of St. Thomas where she earned a business degree.
Leigh worked as an accountant for a variety of employers—the Minneapolis Police Department, United Health Care, and SuperValu. Most recently, she served as a senior financial analyst at Seagate of Shakopee.
While celebrating a birthday at Bogart’s Bar, Leigh caught the eye of a young man, Rob Quinnell. After shooting pool together, they lost a few games, but they won each other’s hearts. Rob knew he wanted to see Leigh again. A week later, he invited her to dinner and a relationship blossomed. Leigh and Rob exchanged wedding vows on June 5, 1999 at Christiana Lutheran Church in Lakeville, MN.
The simple things in life are what mattered to Leigh. She enjoyed walking her dogs, Toby and Gracie, spending time with her family at Leech Lake, and getting into mischief on her annual girl’s weekend. More than anything though, Leigh was proud to be a mother. Whether it was at home, school, or at sports events, Leigh was the biggest supporter of her sons, Nicholas and Gabe.
In November of 2016, Leigh was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. While difficult, Leigh faced her diagnosis with optimism. Even after chemotherapy and other treatments, Leigh’s positivity didn’t waver. Along with her family, Leigh took a vacation to Mexico this past winter—serving as a reprieve from cancer treatment. She found strength in her family and her faith. Leigh was often inspired by Joyce Meyer’s daily devotionals.
A dedicated and caring woman, Leigh is missed by her husband, Robbie; sons, Nicholas and Gabe; mother, Marilyn (Larry) Waller; brothers and sisters, Brady (Debbie) Baurr, Ryan (Jessica) Wedin, Britt (Jordan) Schoeneberg; mother and father-in-law, Douglas (Dianne) Quinnell; brother and sister-in-law, Reid Quinnell, Robyn (Kyle) Slaughter; other relatives and friends.
Leigh is preceded in death by her father, Dean Paul Baurr.
